Our Opinion: State’s slight of Springfield is senseless

Sometimes we wonder if state officials realize that, in addition to being the place where their offices are, Springfield also is a city unto itself.

Sometimes we wonder if state officials realize that, in addition to being the place where their offices are, Springfield also is a city unto itself.

As such, Springfield deserves the courtesy of a heads-up, at minimum, before the state makes decisions with the potential for serious negative repercussions on its capital city. Of late, the state is 0-for-2 in this department.

In the spring of 2009, Springfield area government and business leaders learned, months after the fact, that the Illinois Department of Transportation had signed an agreement with Union Pacific Railroad that would drastically increase train traffic through the heart of the city. Among the things that would make this possible would be an overpass looming over the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Dana-Thomas House, we were told.

That kicked off a major effort that, we hope, will end in the 10th Street tracks becoming Springfield’s main passenger and freight line — as had been planned for decades.

Now we learn that the Illinois Department of Agriculture, without consulting city tourism officials, canceled one of the biggest potential tourism events of 2012 and 2013: the National High School Finals Rodeo.

The reason? Ag officials say the state can no longer afford the $1 million annual cost of hosting the event.

Keep in mind, this is an event that brings thousands of people — spectators, competitors and their families — to Springfield for a long stay. Long enough to generate an estimated $8 million for the local economy, most of which goes back to the state in sales tax.

We’re baffled at the logic behind the decision, but we’re especially annoyed that it appears to have been made without any consultation with local officials outside of state government. The ag department owes an explanation to Springfield on that communication gaffe.

Tim Farley, executive director of the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau, said he was blindsided when he learned of the decision on The State Journal-Register’s website on Thursday.
“The last time we talked to them a month ago, they were still negotiating, so this is fairly new to us,” Farley said. “(State government) spent millions building the facility for this rodeo, so this is really a shame. Many of the people have to drive in. They are not your typical group. … This will affect the whole state of Illinois.”

Springfield is the easternmost host city for the event — which rotates between here, Gillette, Wyo., and Gallup, N.M. — so there is the added advantage of the rodeo being an event that brings people here who probably never would come otherwise.

This news sent local officials scrambling last week in an attempt to salvage the event.

“On one hand we’re spending tourism dollars to get people to come to Illinois, and on the other hand we’re saying, ‘Nah, don’t come.’ It makes absolutely no sense,” said Springfield Mayor Frank Edwards. “And this is big time. We’re talking probably $8 to $10 million for the state and our community alone is probably $300,000.”

Edwards spoke after a meeting at the Capitol with Tim Mapes, chief of staff to House Speaker Michael Madigan, on Friday. He was making the rounds with as many state leaders as possible, hoping that perhaps the ag department’s decision could be undone.

“What worries me is, once you issue a letter to someone like that, is it over?” said Rep. Raymond Poe, R-Springfield.

We hope not. The rodeo should be viewed as a net gain for the state, not just a drain on one department’s budget. Surely there is a way of doing that. Poe suggested pursuit of corporate sponsorships for funding. That shouldn’t be an afterthought in this process.

Nor should Springfield have been an afterthought as a player in these negotiations. State government may be the biggest employer here, but a thriving tourism industry is just as important to our economy. When those two forces work at cross-purposes, something is very wrong.

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